One reason Beowulf cites for coming to help the Danes is that his father fought alongside Hrothgar when the two of then were younger. Beowulf says he has heard of the terror Grendel has inflicted on a once well-known hall, Heorot, so that now the mead hall sits idle and empty. Also, he tells Hrothgar that he is considered a brave and fierce warrior and so one equipped to fight a monster like Grendel. Beowulf...

One reason Beowulf cites for coming to help the Danes is that his father fought alongside Hrothgar when the two of then were younger. Beowulf says he has heard of the terror Grendel has inflicted on a once well-known hall, Heorot, so that now the mead hall sits idle and empty. Also, he tells Hrothgar that he is considered a brave and fierce warrior and so one equipped to fight a monster like Grendel. Beowulf comes off, in this speech to Hrothgar, as somewhat boastful. He sings his own praises as a warrior.